This paper reviews press coverage of events surrounding the 1977 governmental decision to ban fluorocarbons in spray cans in the United States. The research reported focused on the years 1972 to 1978 and involved a count of the number of items published in selected newspapers and magazines or aired on the three major networks' evening news broadcasts. The paper notes how fully the mass media informed the public of the controversy concerning fluorocarbons, examines whether the media presented scientific details about the issue clearly, and reports whether they placed the issue in a context that helped build a foundation for public understanding of more basic issues such as the quality of regulatory action and the diversity of philosophies underlying environmental conflicts. The paper also points out instances in which the mores and structure of journalism (as well as those of science and government) influenced media reports. Appendixes contain a list of the periodicals surveyed and a timetable of events related to fluorocarbon deletion theories. (FL)

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